What Should I Do If I Accidentally Used an HSA Debit Card on a Non-Health Related Expense?

Accidentally using your HSA debit card for a non-health related expense can happen to anyone. It's important to address the situation promptly to ensure compliance with HSA regulations and avoid potential penalties. Here's what you should do:

1. Recognize the Mistake: Acknowledge that the expense was not eligible for HSA funds.
2. Reimburse the HSA: Deposit the amount equal to the non-qualifying expense back into your HSA account.
3. Keep Records: Maintain documentation of the repayment for your records and in case of an audit.
4. Learn from the Mistake: Use this experience as a learning opportunity to be more diligent with HSA expenditures in the future.
5. Monitor Your HSA: Regularly review your HSA transactions to prevent similar errors.

Sometimes, we can inadvertently swipe our HSA debit cards for items that aren't deemed health-related. If this happens to you, don’t panic! First, acknowledge that you’ve made a mistake. Next, make sure to reimburse your HSA by putting back the amount used on that non-qualifying purchase. Remember, it’s essential to be good at keeping records, especially in case of an IRS audit. Take this experience to heart—learning the distinction between eligible and non-eligible expenses will serve you well in the future. Finally, make a habit of reviewing your transaction history regularly to mitigate such errors moving forward.